DeWyze triumphs over Bowersox on 'American Idol'

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Lee DeWyze, a paint store clerk who overcame his shyness to impress 'American Idol' judges and viewers with his spirit and soulful voice, triumphed Wednesday over bluesy musician Crystal Bowersox in the contest's ninth season.

When asked by host Ryan Seacrest how he felt, an emotional DeWyze said, "I don't know. It's amazing, thank you, guys, so much ... I love you. Crystal, I love you."

The finalists had closely matched fan bases, with just a two per cent voting gap between them coming into the finale, Seacrest said. DeWyze's victory was based on votes cast after Tuesday's performance show, which drew more judges' compliments for Bowersox, 24, of Ohio, than for DeWyze, also 24, of Illinois.

The total number of votes cast in the finale weren't announced by Seacrest. That's a departure from most years past: Last season, for example, the high-profile contest between Kris Allen and Adam Lambert drew 100 million phone and text message votes.

Fox didn't comment on the omission. But 'American Idol', although still TV's top-rated show, has seen audience erosion this season that could have affected the tally. The talented but low-key Bowersox and DeWyze might also have provoked less interest.

Backstage, DeWyze said he was already looking ahead to his next step, which includes making an album and touring. Asked to look back, he said he has learned much from his American Idol experience.

"It's OK to put yourself out there and to take risks. Before all this I wasn't always open to big risks like this, and now I'm just like ... I'm going to run with it. And you only live once," DeWyze said.

Easy to 'nitpick'

As for the judges' lukewarm appraisals he got Tuesday, he said it's possible to "nitpick" anything but he's happy with the songs he selected and how he did.

He called Bowersox "amazing" and said, "I love her to death. I know she's going to be successful."

Bowersox was downright Zen about the results.

"I knew Lee was going to win. People seemed surprised by that, but I just had a feeling. I couldn't be happier for him. He deserves every minute of this," she said backstage, looking as calm and cheerful as she has throughout the season.

She viewed the outcome as "winner and non-winner", not winner and loser.

"Both of us are going to have very successful careers and we're going to be friends for a long time," she said of DeWyze.